Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said his country is considering lowering the price of Russian natural gas deliveries to Ukraine.

He made the comment on April 15 during a working visit to Brazil.

"Our Ukrainian partners think that, for a number of reasons, our current gas prices are rather heavy to bear, considering the economic situation in Ukraine," Medvedev said. "This is an issue that is being discussed and I said from the very beginning to the new Ukrainian president that we are ready to [discuss it]."

Medvedev said he planned to pursue negotiations on the issue with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych when he visits Ukraine next week.

Relations between the two countries have dramatically improved since the February election of Yanukovych, who is seen as being close to Moscow.